The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) have confirmed that a cull of deer will take place in Killarney National Park over the next month. The cull will involve 50 to 80 deer, most of them does, with only 20% being bucks.

The cull is unlikely to placate farmers, who say they are being overwhelmed by hundreds of deer coming from the park onto their farmland. Deer in Kerry are protected, with farmers allowed to shoot two to three each, and only under permit. The cull comes on foot of a report on deer numbers in the park, which found a significant increase in the National Park.

Curiously, the report divided the park into seven areas, but excluded two areas, which include the area east of Lough Leane, where farmers are most affected by invading deer.

This is also the area where wild deer have been constantly crossing the busy tourist roads near the Gap of Dunloe, leading the local coroner to warn the OPW as to their responsibilities to the public.

Deer, especially red deer, are becoming a significant problem in a variety of areas, including Tipperary.

In Wicklow a cull of up to 50,000 wild deer is now being advocated by the consultancy group tasked with assessing the situation.

Farmers say deer are devouring grass, damaging crops, wrecking fences, and pose a disease threat to cattle herds.

Kerry deer cull only a drop in the ocean, say farmers

Deer cull in Killarney for 50 to 80 deer only a drop in the ocean say farmers, who want fundamental improvement in deer management by the NPWS.